Sensory outputs for communicating data values

Abstract

Architecture for communicating data values that enables visually impaired persons to perceive a non-image indicator corresponding to the data values. For example, an organized data set such as a chart or a graph can be displayed on a computer monitor or other user interface output component. A user employs a mouse or other user input component to select a data value from the organized data set. A non-image indicator such as an audible tone can be generated to correspond to the selected data value. A spread of audible tones corresponding to the organized data set is assigned across a range between a maximum data value and a minimum data value. A tonal separation is assigned between audible tones sufficient to enable the user to discern a pitch variation and corresponding change in data value.

1 . A computer-implemented system for communicating data values, comprising:
 a data component for receiving an organized data set; and   an output component for outputting a range of non-image indicators corresponding to data values of the organized data set.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the range of non-image indicators is selected from at least one of audible tones, tactile vibrational frequencies, tactile force resistance levels, or visual brightness variation levels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the organized data set includes data values represented in at least one of a table, a bar graph, a pie chart, or a periodically varying function. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface component for presenting and selecting a numerical data value to be presented as a corresponding non-image indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mapping component for mapping the data values to the range of non-image indicators. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output component is configured to assist visually impaired users in interpreting the organized data set. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a customization component for customizing the range of non-image indicators based on user requirements. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data component and output component are part of a client software module of a client device and the data component receives the organized data set from software applications residing on the client device for selection and mapping over a range of sensory outputs. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data component and output component are part of a software module that resides on a server. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented system for communicating data values, comprising:
 a data component for receiving an organized data set of data values;   a mapping component for mapping for mapping the data values to a range of audible tones;   an audio component for generating the audible tones corresponding to the mapped data values; and   a user interface component for presenting the organized data set and interacting with a data value to output an associated audible tone.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mapping component maps a spread of audible tones across a range of maximum and minimum data values. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mapping component assigns a tonal separation between adjacent data points for a user to discern a variation in pitch. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the audible tone for a data point is computed according to a frequency span applied to a range of data values, the data point a normalized data value relative to a minimum data value of the range of data values. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the audible tones correspond to a range of notes associated with a piano keyboard. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented method of communicating data values, comprising:
 receiving an organized data set; and   generating audible tones corresponding to data values within the organized data set.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, prior to generating, further comprising assigning a spread of audible tones across a range between a maximum and a minimum. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein assigning the spread further comprises calculating a tonal separation between the audible tones sufficient for a user to discern a pitch variation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, prior to generating, further comprising assigning frequencies for the audible tones wherein a frequency of each audible tone represents a sum of a minimum audible tone frequency and a maximum audible tone frequency divided by an offset to produce a normalized value between a minimum data value and a maximum data value. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein receiving the organized data set further comprises displaying the organized data set and selecting a numerical data value from the organized data set using a user interface component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising customizing a range of audible tones to user requirements.